As the Role of the Immune System Across Disease Expands, So Does the Global Immunodeficiency Community
Maastricht, the Netherlands
Record participation at ESID 2026, including record attendance from ESID Juniors, reflects a growing field and a new generation helping shape its future.
As understanding of the immune system’s underlying role across disease continues to expand, so does the scientific and clinical community who are working to translate these discoveries into better diagnosis, treatment and patient care.
The 22nd Biennial Meeting of the European Society for Immunodeficiencies (ESID), held in Maastricht, the Netherlands, on 14–17 October 2026 and organised by Kenes Group, reflected that momentum. More than 2,670 participants from 98 countries attended ESID 2026, achieving a second consecutive attendance record.
Co-organised by ESID, the International Nursing Group for Immunodeficiencies (INGID) and the International Patient Organisation for Primary Immunodeficiencies (IPOPI), the Meeting brought together the international community to exchange advances in research, diagnostics and clinical care for people affected by inborn errors of immunity (IEI).
Translational Immunology: Beyond Boundaries
Under the theme Translational Immunology: Beyond Boundaries, ESID 2026 reflected the widening relevance of immunology and the increasing need for collaboration across basic science, clinical research and patient care.
“With this theme, we aimed to stimulate the interaction between basic and clinical research and patient care, between immunology and other areas of research”
Further evidence of the field’s momentum came from its next generation. ESID Juniors achieved record attendance again in Maastricht, alongside growing involvement in the Society’s year-round activities – such as through webinars, training schools, and their Journal Watch – and conference programming, demonstrating a community increasingly engaged in shaping the future of immunodeficiency research and care.
“The field of immunodeficiency is becoming wider and wider and that comes with a little more complexity, but certainly it doesn't cease to amaze us and be exciting.”
“The energy at ESID 2026 was remarkable, with record participation and strong engagement throughout the scientific programme. It is a privilege for Kenes Group to work alongside ESID in bringing this international community together and supporting a Meeting that continues to connect established experts with the next generation.”
Celebrating Excellence in Immunodeficiency
ESID 2026 also celebrated outstanding contributions to the field. Professor Anders Fasth received the ESID Lifetime Achievement Award, recognising a career that has included pioneering work in stem cell transplantation in Sweden and Costa Rica, contributions to European rare disease initiatives, and decades of service to ESID through education, scientific meetings and mentorship.
Accepting the award, Professor Fasth reflected: “ESID, that is my university for primary immunodeficiency.” Addressing the central role of patients, he added: “These are my and your most important teachers, our patients.”
The Meeting also recognised its Best e-Poster Presenters: Joshua M. Tobin (USA), Taja Vatovec (Germany), Evelyn R. Hernandez Almonte (USA), Antoine Gondé (France), Yirun Miao (Austria), Emil Vorsteveld (Netherlands), Petra Hadlova (Czech Republic), Ina C. Schim van der Loeff (UK), Kathya Arana Fernandez Garrido (USA), Filippo Consonni (Italy), Janire Perurena-Prieto (Spain), Erika Della Mina (Australia), Federico Diomeda (Italy), Qing Wang (Sweden), Marcus B. Villander Sá (Brazil), and Cheng-Lung Ku (Taiwan).
Together, expanding scientific relevance, record international participation and growing engagement from the next generation, they point to a field with increasing influence and a strong future.
About ESID
The 22nd Biennial Meeting of the European Society for Immunodeficiencies (ESID 2026) took place in Maastricht, the Netherlands, from 14–17 October 2026.
Co-organised by ESID, the International Nursing Group for Immunodeficiencies (INGID) and the International Patient Organisation for Primary Immunodeficiencies (IPOPI), and alongside their PCO, Kenes Group, the Meeting brought together more than 2,670 participants from 98 countries to advance research, diagnosis, treatment and patient care in inborn errors of immunity.
Under the theme Translational Immunology: Beyond Boundaries, ESID 2026 connected basic and clinical research with multidisciplinary perspectives across immunology and related fields.
Learn more at: https://esidmeeting.org/